WHOO-AM 990 Orlando

Network Affiliation(s):	ABC
	Associated Press

Owner(s):	1947-Orlando Daily Newspapers
	1949-Radio Station WHOO
	1950-Orlando Daily Newspapers
	1952-WHOO, Inc.
	1957-WHOO Radio, Inc. (Horton-Kincaid)
	1978-WHOO Radio, Inc. (Bluegrass Broadcasting)
	1987-TK Communications ($13.5 million)
	1994-Granum Communications ($11.5 million)
	1997-Cox Broadcasting
	2001-American Broadcasting Co. ($5 million)
	2003-Radio Disney Group (subsidiary of ABC)

History Of Call Letters and Formats:	WHOO-1947-Pop Broadcasting from the Fort Gatlin Hotel
	WHOO-1968-Country "Country Gentlemen"
	WMMA-1987-Adult Contemporary "Magic 99"
	WMMA-1987-Oldies
	WHTQ-1988-Rock (simulcast of WHTQ 96.5 FM)
	WHOO-1988-Big Bands/Adult Standards (Music Of Your Life)
	WHOO-1989-Classic Country
	WHOO-1990-Rock (simulcast of WHTQ 96.5 FM)
	WHOO-1993-Adult Standards (ABC Radio "Stardust" format)
	WDYZ- 2001-Radio Disney-Children

History of WHOO

WHOO would broadcast from the Hotel Fort Gatlin in 1947.

WHOO, first owned by the company that published the Orlando Morning Sentinel and the Reporter-Star newspapers, went on the air on Dec. 5, 1947.
A formal dress, gala grand opening event was held along with an "invitation only" reception and dance. In the glare of Hollywood searchlights, Bob Chester's New York Orchestra performed and the "western" band the WHOOT Owls were introduced. Reports said 5,000 guests walked across a red carpet "where microphoned-society reporters described their dress. WHOO maintained their own bands, The WHOO Society Band and The WHOOT Owls, a western band. WHOO had the first girl singer to appear on a regular basis. 990 also had the largest sports staff at any local station in 1947. Among other "firsts" at WHOO included; the first radio city news room employing three reporters to gather, write and report local news. WHOO was the first station in the country to purchase a "new type" wire recorder. The "Sunday Funnies" were read each Sunday. Band concerts were also a regular feature arranged by WHOO's Music Director Joe McLees.
In 1951 the newspaper company sold WHOO-AM 990 and WHOO-FM 92.3 to Edward Lamb, a Toledo attorney and broadcaster.
Chuck Wilson fills in some more history of WHOO. "... John Rutledge was the manager when I was there and he worked out of the "Executive Offices" in the Gatlin Hotel on Orange Avenue. The sales force was also located there. I believe everyone else was out at Silver Star Road, which is where the transmitter was located. To consolidate the operation (the Gatlin offices weren't that nice either), John moved everyone to a new location on Rosalind Avenue, but I'm not sure if there wasn't a short transition move for the Executive Office/Sales Staff from the Gatlin location to the Silver Star location prior to going downtown (Rosalind Avenue.) I worked as an announcer/traffic manager/sort-of program director/meter reader/pump primer on the FM side. I had to keep the pump on the well primed or the air conditioner wouldn't work! Anyway, when the building on Rosalind Avenue was remodeled (boy, did it look good!), everyone moved from Silver Star Road to the new offices downtown ... except me! You talk about desolate! There was nothing out there. The transmitter was so far out that they had to pipe in sunshine. I would get there at 5:00 am and leave at 1:00 pm and the only person I would see was the guy who relieved me at 1:00. At first, WHOO only broadcast from downtown and then they started broadcasting from the transmitter site after midnight. Few people realized the facilities at the transmitter were probably as good as, if not better than, any station in town...except, maybe, for
WDBO-AM 580. Somewhere around 1960-61 everything moved from Rosalind Avenue back to the facilities on Silver Star Road (is isn't cheap to move a radio station). John spent a lot of money remodeling the facility and it was great to have everyone back out there.

From Roger Simmons www.rogersimmons.com An ad from 1947 telling about ABC Radio Network programming coming to WHOO.

Martin Agronsky-sponsored by Orange Buick. Long-time news figure. He began his career in newspaper, moved to radio, and finally TV. Journalist Martin Agronsky's career spanned more than 50 years.
Agronsky was a pioneer in political convention coverage. In 1948, he reported on the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolph Eichmann, and his interviewed Texas governor John Connolly on Nov. 27, 1963, just days after he was shot in the presidential motorcade. This respect was manifest when, during the civil rights protests in Selma, Ala., in 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. said that he would grant an interview only to Agronsky. Martin Agronsky died July 25, 1999, of congestive heart failure at age 84.

The Breakfast Club-Don McNeill's morning broadcast aired from 1933 to1968. McNeill's radio show became the longest running daily network show in history.

My True Story-Began in 1943 on ABC radio. The program ran for 17 years and was presented in cooperation with True Story magazine.

Dorothy Kilgallen Star Time-1947 Galen Drake-Began his talk show in 1944 and continued until the 1960s. Sponsored by the Kellogg Co. Ted Malone-"Westinghouse Presents"
Breakfast in Hollywood-Tom Breneman's Breakfast in Hollywood was a popular national program of the 1940s in which the host would visit with celebrities in a restaurant he owned. Breakfast In Hollywood Opening

Welcome Travelers-A daytime talk show, set in a hotel, that originated on radio in 1947. Host, Tommy Bartlett, claimed it was the first "call-in" radio program. Sponsored by Crisco and Ivory Snow.

Baukhage Talking-News and commentary by Robert Baukhage aired from 1942-1953. Hilmar Robert Baukhage announced the start of World War II in a historic on-the-scene broadcast from Berlin in 1939, then on Dec. 7, 1941, aired the first live newscast from the White House with a marathon eight-hour report on the Pearl Harbor attack; in Washington, D.C. With "Baukhage Talking" as his sign-on, the broadcaster was an NBC and ABC mainstay for two decades. Baukhage died in 1976 at the age of 87.

Bride and Groom-During each episode host John Nelson, would quiz real-life couples about their relationship. Then, the happy couple was whisked off for their wedding as sidekick Phil Hanna sang the couple's chosen wedding song. Afterwards, the couple would be showered with "gifts".

Ladies Be Seated-Began in 1947. It was an audience participation show originating from Chicago. Sponsored by The Toni Company, the makers of Toni Home Permanent. The show starred Johnny Olsen and Tom Moore. It was produced by
Allan Funt.

Paul Whiteman Club-Paul Whiteman was the DJ in this show that ran 1947-1948

Terry and the Pirates- This series was a fifteen minute five-times-a-week serial from the comic strip of the same name.
Terry Lee, was portrayed by Jackie Kelk, Cliff Carpenter, Owen Jordan and Bill Fein at different times during its radio run. Terry's buddy Pat Ryan was played by Bud Collier, Warner Anderson, Bob Griffin and Larry Alexander.

Jack Armstrong and the Sky King Show-30 minute program heard over ABC from 1947 to 1950 on a staggered broadcast schedule. One week Jack Armstrong would be broadcast on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule and the next week as a Tuesday-Thursday schedule, with Sky King on the opposite schedule. Wheaties was the sponsor.
Jack Armstrong Sky King Show

Elmer Davis-News and commentary-well-known news reporter, author, the Director of the United States Office of War Information during World War II

Treasury Show-News

The Clock-Mystery-Originally broadcast in England then from New York and finally, Hollywood

Tales of Willie Piper-starring Billy Redfield

Darts for Dough-Sunday evening game show-sponsored by General Electric. Poni (Jane) Adams-contestant escort

Mr. President-Little known facts about our Presidents. Sponsored by Dr. Pepper and starring Edward Arnold.

a 1966 WHOO music survey from Steve Kennedy	WHOO "All American" Blazer Patch from 1966 period From Dick Shane (Camnitz)
Penny Post Card	WHOO "Fabulous 50" Survey Courtesy of Dick Camnitz

WHOO Personalities
Tom Sawyer-1949-Program Director-Radio Station WHOO
Clarence Daniel-1950-Program Director-Radio Station WHOO
Phil Gaines-1950-News Director-Radio Station WHOO
Ruth Smith-1950-Women's Director-Radio Station WHOO
Gordon Towne-1953-Farm News Director-WHOO, Inc.
Walter Sickles-1953-Program Director-WHOO, Inc.
Walter Mitchell-1953-Promotions Manager-WHOO, Inc./1954-Program Director/News Director-WHOO, Inc.
Al Stockmeier-1954-Sports Director-WHOO, Inc./1955-General Manager/Commercial Manager-WHOO, Inc.
Boo Malicord-1953-Women's Director-WHOO, Inc.
Claude Rainey-1955-Program Director/Sports Director/Promotions Manager-WHOO, Inc.
Dallas Crutcher-1955-News Director-WHOO, Inc.
Charles Reiner-1955-Farm News Director-WHOO, Inc.
Freda Hilton-1955-Women's Director-WHOO, Inc.
John Lofton-1956-Program Director-WHOO, Inc.
Bill Clark-1958-Program Director-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Raymond Holbrook-1958-Program Director/Women's Director-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Frank Lynn-1958-News Director/Farm Director-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Tony Chastain-1958-Central Florida's first talk show host. From Bob Andrews; ...Tony was a very controversial figure, taking on such subjects as legalized prostitution, etc. (this in 1958); an extremely well-read person with no formal education..."
Clay Daniels-1958-Program Director-WHOO Radio, Inc./Afternoon drive. Clay is also a singer, recording for SoundCot in the 70's. He, Roy Marler and Jeff Blair recently put together "The Three Amigos" for playing and profit. Clay is the voice for *Sonny King's Orange Buick* in Orlando.
Ed Ripley-1959
Rock Robinson-1959-Program Director-WHOO Radio, Inc. Photo Courtesy of Dick Camnitz
Cecil West-1959-News Director-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Gene Stuart-1959-Production Director-WHOO Radio, Inc./1961- Operations Manager-WHOO Radio
Bob Carrol-1960-News Director-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Dick Wilson-1964-Program Director-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Dick Shannon (Dick Camnitz)-1965-1966
Wild Bill Carter-From Dick Camnitz; "One evening in the late mid 60s, it was Wild Bill Carter who played "Hillbilly Heaven" over and over until a large crowd of listeners converged on the WHOO Road studios breaking in and doing damage to the station. Bill was one of an entire station of DJs who were hired by WHOO from Chattanooga, Tennessee to attempt to catch WLOF(-AM 950)."
Mac Allen-Mon-Fri-6am-9am, Sat-6am-Noon
Jack Hayse-Program Director/afternoon drive
Bob Andrews *Biography*	Johnny Gee, Rock Robinson & Bill Vermillion Courtesy of Dick Camnitz
Peter Jay (Pete Forgione) *Biography*
Ron Fraiser-Mid-days
Gilbert Brooks
Pete Porter-M-F-Noon-3pm,Sat-Noon-6pm/Music Director
Russ Wheeler *Biography*

"Big" Bill Smith-was a radio technician in the Air Force at Orlando and worked the 6 to midnight shift at WHOO as the engineer and FM DJ. Rock Robinson worked the tower at Chastain's restaurant on Orange Blossom Trail at the same time. He often mentioned Bill on the air as "Big Bill Smith" at the transmitter site." Bill is 6' 8" tall.

"Cool Chris" (Christopher Hanna)

Dave Ralston

Bill Clifford-Weekends

Marty Stebbins-1967 Biography

Tom Dooley (Tom Goins)-Midnight-6am-Mon-Sat

Bob Nyles-1974-1988-nights, afternoons/Music Director and sales Biography

Al Dunaway-Mornings. Al would always have a "second call to coffee". Which was the second hour of his show.
From Bob Nyles; "...Al is retired and spends his time delivering emergency vehicles around the country..." You might recognize Al as the voice of Southeast Steel commercials.

Mike Burger-Mid days for nine years, eventually taking over the program directors position. Mike returned to Orlando for four years, then back to Dallas.

Bob Grayson-Program Director

Bucks Braun-1979-1985-Biography

Russ Wheeler Biography

Tom Haley-Biography

Allen Dennis

Dave Ralston

Charlie Champion-Program Director click photo for full sized view

Gary Anstaett
Bill Cody

“Big” Billy Love-M-F-6pm-Midnight, Sunday-6pm-Midnight Johnny Walker-M-F 3pm-6pm Bob Baker Jim Maloy-Mon-Fri-9am-Noon, Sun-Noon-6pm Bill Frangus Max Rein-1979-Executive Vice President/General Manager Jim Jordan-Vice President/General Manager Bob Johnson-General Manager *Biography* Ray Beale Clayton Delaney (Ron Jones) The Kingbird Alan Spector-News	Here's the staff of WHOO-AM in 1984, courtesy of Dave Edwards
"Large" Larry English
	For years, WHOO would broadcast live shows from “The Rainbow Ranch” on the weekends, (later "The Joint in the Woods"), in Longwood. Read more about it here. http://members.aol.com/birdsbands/joints/jointslide/jointsl01.htm Location: General Hutchison Parkway, next to Big Tree Park, Longwood
Dave Edwards has been kind enough to supply much information and many of the pictures on this site. Here's a picture and information he sent. "...Around 1984 WHOO-FM changed it's name to *"96 Country"* to compete with "K-92 FM." The station became "*Q-96FM"* (AOR) just before Bluegrass Broadcasting sold it. (Here)...is the cover of the WHOO 2nd annual reunion booklet which was held at the central Florida fairgrounds in the fall of 1984..." Bill Michaels Mike Goode-Afternoons Steve Kennedy-Nights Rick Saylor Frank Vaught-Sports
June Myers-1983-1985 *Biography*
Adrian Charles- News Director
Denise Gainer-Reporter/News Director
Paul Williamson-News
Chuck Goulder In Memory
Other Names in WHOO History
Martin Anderson-1947-President-Orlando Daily Newspapers/1949-President-Radio Station WHOO
Walter Speight, Jr.-1947-General Manager-Orlando Daily Newspapers
George Newhart-1947-Commercial Manager/Promotions Manager-Orlando Daily Newspapers
Larry Scarborough-1947-Program Director-Orlando Daily Newspapers
Stanley Beck-1947-Chief Engineer-Orlando Daily Newspapers
Clarence Braccy-1949-General Manager/Commercial Manger-Radio Station WHOO
Betty Jean Kline-1949-Promotions Manager-Radio Station WHOO
Gene Dasiell-1949-Chief Engineer-Radio Station WHOO
Carl Hallberg-1950-Commercial Manager-Radio Station WHOO/1953-Commercial Manager/General Manager-WHOO, Inc.
Josephine Bledsoe-1950-Traffic Director-Radio Station WHOO
Ann Rupert-1952-Promotions Manager-WHOO, Inc.
Don Compton-1952-Chief Engineer-WHOO, Inc.
Edward Lamb-1953-President-WHOO, Inc.
Donald Compton-1953-Chief Engineer-WHOO, Inc.
Ted Esterbrook-1958-President/General Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Red Weiss-1958-Commercial Manager/Promotions Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc.
John Rutledge-1958-President/General Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc. Biography In Memory
John Rutledge (standing) and George Stuart (seated) photo courtesy of Steve Rutledge Steve Rutledge tells us about this photo of his dad, John. "The photo was taken between 1965 and 1967. He still had short hair and was wearing suits. That didn't last much longer though. George Stuart and my dad were great friends. George Stuart's (Office Supply store) was across the street, Rosalind, from the original WHOO. He was THE office supply guy in Orlando. He had three sons that went to Edgewater. I went to Boone. They were George, Jacob and not sure about the third one."
Marvin Rothchild-1958-Commercial Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Charles Chrisom-1958-Chief Engineer-WHOO Radio, Inc.
H. Hart Hagan-1958-WHOO Radio, Inc.
C. A. Baker-1958-Chief Engineer-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Garvis Kincaid-1958-Bluegrass Broadcasting
O.C. Halyard-1958-Manager-Bluegrass Broadcasting
Hugh Robinson-1959-Operatiosn Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Donald Welsh-1959-Commercial Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Dale Wright-1964-Operations Manager-WHOO Radio, Inc.
Roy Adams
Andy Wilson
Ken Bowman
Jack Hayes
Tracy
Bob Hood-General Manager
Roy Nielsen
Bill Stakelin-General Manager
Bill Andrews *Biography*